n. & v.
--n.
1. a deduction from a bill or amount due given esp. in consideration of prompt or advance payment or to a special class of buyers.
2 a deduction from the amount of a bill of exchange etc. by a person who gives value for it before it is due.
3 the act or an instance of discounting.
--v.tr.
1. disregard as being unreliable or unimportant (discounted his story).
2 reduce the effect of (an event etc.) by previous action.
3 detract from; lessen; deduct (esp. an amount from a bill etc.).
4 give or get the present worth of (a bill not yet due).
Phrases and idioms:
at a discount
1. below the nominal or usual price (cf. PREMIUM).
2 not in demand; depreciated.
discount house
1. Brit. a firm that discounts bills.
2 US discount store. discount rate US the minimum lending rate. discount store esp. US a shop etc. that sells goods at less than the normal retail price.
Derivatives:
discountable adj. discounter n.
Etymology: obs. F descompte, -conte, descompter or It. (di)scontare (as DIS-, COUNT(1))